Blue Lagoon, Comino - speedboat service by Paradise Diving, opposite Paradise Bay Hotel
Blue Lagoon by Clive Vella, courtesy of Malta Tourism Authority
You don't have to be a diver to enjoy relaxing at the Blue Lagoon, Comino. Paradise Diving run a regular shuttle service back and forth by speedboat, weather permitting from 1st May to 31st October. We charge the same price as the ferries but we use speedboats, so that's more fun for you plus we can go inside the caves and through the tunnel on the way back. Our first departure is at 09.00 and we run every 30 minutes. Return trips are at 13.00, 15.00 and 17.00. Our boats depart from the private beach of the Paradise Bay Resort Hotel (across the road from the hotel). If you are coming by bus take the Cirkewwa service and get off at the Paradise Bay Resort Hotel. If you get off at the ferry terminal, walk back toward the hotel, (2 minutes). If you are coming by car, follow signs for Gozo. There is a free carpark opposite the Paradise Bay Hotel. Look for our sign Paradise Diving. Go down the steps and onto the small beach. Price for Adults Euro 10 return, children aged 2 to 10 Euro 5 return. Facilities in the Blue Lagoon include kiosks selling food and drinks, as well as showers and toilets. There are also deckchairs and umbrellas available to rent. During the main summer period Malta Transport Authority ropes off Comino so that a large stretch of the Blue Lagoon is reserved for swimmers only. This means you are protected from boat traffic whilst swimming in the Blue Lagoon. If you have gone across to Comino to snorkel and wish to venture outside the roped area, make sure you are visible to boat traffic by using an SMB.
Catch boat and get tickets down these steps. Opposite Paradise Bay Hotel
Warning; Whichever company you decide to use, buy your tickets at the actual boat departure point. Never buy from touts on buses, at the bus stop, or in the street. There have been lots of complaints that tickets have been sold for services that didn't run and it is impossible to get your money back. There is no need to buy a ticket in advance and no advantage in doing so.
St Mary's Tower Comino
Apart from swimming and sunbathing in the lagoon, Comino has much to offer from a historical perspective. St Mary's tower can be clearly seen from Paradise Diving on Comino's southern coast. The tower was built by the knights in 1618 and is part of a chain of defensive watch towers.
St Mary's Tower steps
Still on the South coast, at the opposite end to St Mary's tower, you will eventually come to St Mary's battery which was built in 1716. The battery has been restored and can be exploered inside and out. It still houses 2 x 24 pdr iron cannons and 4 x 6pdr iron cannons.
St Mary's Battery - Cannon
Battery Restoration Plaque
St Mary's Battery interior
St Mary's Battery Cannons
St Mary's Battery interior
Barracks used as isolation hospital
Behind St Mary's tower, lies the army barracks, also built by the knights. These have been used for various purposes over the years, including an isolation hospital. On the North coast above Santa Maria bay, you will find a quaint police station and just on from that, a tiny Roman Catholic chapel which dates from 1618.
